If you are one of thousands of people injured in an accident in Rhode Island every year, you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recoup compensation for your damages.
Most accidents are caused by someone’s negligence. Negligence can be someone’s actions or inaction's. When someone acts negligently, he or she is liable for the damages that result. While sometimes negligence is evident, there are times when it can be challenging to show that someone acted negligently.
Because of this, you should enlist the help of a personal injury attorney when you have been involved in an accident that led to injuries and damages.
How Many Personal Injury Attorneys Are in Rhode Island?
Of course, the numbers can vary slightly, but Avvo reported that Rhode Island had 462 personal injury attorneys as of April 2018. These are attorneys who understand the different injuries and damages that result from accidents. You want to get an attorney who is licensed to practice in Rhode Island, so he or she can represent you in court. A local lawyer is also familiar with local and state laws, which are beneficial when pursuing your claim.
You don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket costs when you hire an accident injury lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to pay upfront. Instead, your attorney will get paid when you are compensated through a settlement or judgment.
When it comes to negotiating with an insurance company, you need an attorney who has strong negotiating skills, which a personal injury attorney does. Often, a settlement can be reached before a case advances to court. If the claim must advance to court, your attorney will gather up the evidence and documentation needed to build a strong case to support your claim and to show that negligence led to the injuries that you suffered.
Documentation such as the accident report, medical bills, medical records, estimates for repairs to your property such as a vehicle, photos of damages and injuries, proof of lost wages, and so forth will prove what happened and what damages resulted. An attorney will be able to determine your losses and a fair settlement amount.
How Can A Rhode Island Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
Even minor accidents can lead to major injuries or long-term damages. Accidents have both economic and non-economic impacts on those who are involved. The nature of the accident and the kinds of injuries suffered will definitely impact the value of your claim. Dozens of damages can result from a single accident.
Some common damages include medical expenses, lost wages, future loss of earnings, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, property damages, disabilities, permanent scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and much more. Your attorney will carefully assess your claim and determine which damages resulted from the accident.
Sometimes it is challenging to determine who to pursue a claim against. In this case, your attorney will determine how to proceed. As an example, you were involved in an accident with a delivery truck. You might not know if you must file a claim against the driver, the company operating the truck, or the company that owns the truck. Your attorney will determine how to proceed with the claim and who is liable for the damages that you suffered.
Courthouses in Rhode Island
Not all cases are pursued in small claims court. Different claims are filed in different courts. Here are a few different courthouses in Rhode Island:
Kent County Superior Court
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
Providence County Courthouse
250 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
6th District Court
1 Dorrance Street
Providence, RI 02903
Your attorney will make sure your claim is filed in the right court. With the help of a lawyer, time and resources are not going to be wasted.
Speak With An Attorney Today!
If you have been involved in an accident, you should speak with a
